Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RebeccaBoyd]

Rosie might have stayed up until 12:30 this morning doing her 4-H project but she came home with a blue ribbon and moves onto the county fair in May. Also a month ago her grade took the PSATs for the first time. There was a incentive in math that any student who scored a 450 or better received a $50 gift card. I told her to try her best, but if she got a 450 I would match the $50. The math teacher announced their scores today over lunch and named the students who will get a gift card at the beginning of next school year. I owe my child some money.

 

[BY Bob]

If you wouldn't mind, could you share how you handle Hector while you tape his toes? Bernadette's toes are still taped up by the vet but I am supposed to take that off and inspect and if necessary then do it all up again.
I was with the vet when she did it so I know what needs to be done - in fact she and I designed it together - but she had the miracle vet tech animal whisperer who managed to hypnotize Bernadette such that she was very well behaved.
I am facing the prospect of doing this on my own. If that is not possible I will need to figure who of my friends/neighbors would be 'least bad' but I worry that the helper will make things worse by panicking.
So I am thinking through the logistics of doing this all one handed.
I thought about doing this at night as I do for the big Princesses if I need to do something, but the babies wake up in the night and it would also mean dragging her out from under the heat plate which I feel would be traumatic. Also, it will be harder for me to do fiddly work in the dark/red light.
My other thought is to immobilize Bernadette somehow maybe using a sling, or wrapping her up. I could make her into a vet wrap burrito.
Anyway, any tips welcome. She is 3 weeks old so still quite tiny. But also very feisty.
I have a utility sink that is not too deep, but deep enough that she won't be able to jump out with her bad leg. I thought I would put a towel in that and have that as the main place to work so I can see how she walks and not lose control of her.
Yes, I am a bit stressed by this - mainly because I don't want to traumatize her.

I'm very sorry that I'm not closer. If I was available I would still drive out to help you.

I like having an extra set of hands but Mrs BY Bob is not always available and I've had to improvise before.

I would have the the brace ready to go with a couple of short pieces of tape so I could put it on and secure it with 1 hand quickly. Once it is on it will be easier to secure it permanently.

This really feels like a 2 person job though.

 

[BY Bob]

Wonderful news. They look hale and healthy to me. I'm so happy for you! That must be some relief.

 

[BY Bob]

Rosie might have stayed up until 12:30 this morning doing her 4-H project but she came home with a blue ribbon and moves onto the county fair in May. Also a month ago her grade took the PSATs for the first time. There was a incentive in math that any student who scored a 450 or better received a $50 gift card. I told her to try her best, but if she got a 450 I would match the $50. The math teacher announced their scores today over lunch and named the students who will get a gift card at the beginning of next school year. I owe my child some money.

That is outstanding. You must be very proud of her.

Tax

 

[RoyalChick]

Rosie might have stayed up until 12:30 this morning doing her 4-H project but she came home with a blue ribbon and moves onto the county fair in May. Also a month ago her grade took the PSATs for the first time. There was a incentive in math that any student who scored a 450 or better received a $50 gift card. I told her to try her best, but if she got a 450 I would match the $50. The math teacher announced their scores today over lunch and named the students who will get a gift card at the beginning of next school year. I owe my child some money.

Sooo cool! Congratulations to Rosie (and you too of course!).

 

[RoyalChick]

I'm very sorry that I'm not closer. If I was available I would still drive out to help you.

I like having an extra set of hands but Mrs BY Bob is not always available and I've had to improvise before.

I would have the the brace ready to go with a couple of short pieces of tape so I could put it on and secure it with 1 hand quickly. Once it is on it will be easier to secure it permanently.

This really feels like a 2 person job though.

I fear you may be right.
My plan is to remove the current tape tomorrow evening and leave her bandage free overnight and try and rebandage on Friday. Bandage removal I think is doable one-handed and will give me a good preview of how she handles.
If it is clearly going to be impossible I will have overnight on Thursday to figure out what to do (or grow another arm).

 

[BY Bob]

I fear you may be right.
My plan is to remove the current tape tomorrow evening and leave her bandage free overnight and try and rebandage on Friday. Bandage removal I think is doable one-handed and will give me a good preview of how she handles.
If it is clearly going to be impossible I will have overnight on Thursday to figure out what to do (or grow another arm).

I like this plan.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I fear you may be right.
My plan is to remove the current tape tomorrow evening and leave her bandage free overnight and try and rebandage on Friday. Bandage removal I think is doable one-handed and will give me a good preview of how she handles.
If it is clearly going to be impossible I will have overnight on Thursday to figure out what to do (or grow another arm).

I wish you luck bandaging. Me and mom tried taping a chicks foot once. It did not go well even with both of us working on a 3 day old chick. I can not begin to imagine trying to bandage a 3 week old chick.

 

[RoyalChick]

I wish you luck bandaging. Me and mom tried taping a chicks foot once. It did not go well even with both of us working on a 3 day old chick. I can not begin to imagine trying to bandage a 3 week old chick.

Now you have me really scared as you have 1000% more experience than me!

 

[BY Bob]

Grumble Grumble

Betty was throwing a fit this morning and it took me a minute to figure out what was happening.

I realized that only Phyllis and Lilly were ranging. Everyone else were laying eggs.

In box #1 we had Aurora
In box #2 we had Hattie
In the Cluckle Hut we had Sydney

So where was Betty to lay her egg?

Maybe nest box #3?

Apparently that was unacceptable.

So she chose to lay her egg here.

That's right.

In a box with Aurora!

And Betty is the one grumbling. Listen to her in this video. You can hear Sydney in the background having laid her egg and celebrating.

Has anyone ever heard a hen do that before. I have not. Even Hattie seems perplexed by the goings on!